South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and her national championship Gamecocks celebrated with a jam-packed, downtown parade and rally at the Statehouse a week after completing their undefeated season.
Staley and her players rode some seven blocks to the cheers of a crowd that Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann called the largest ever in the downtown area of the Capital City. And then Staley teased a repeat celebration 12 months from now.
”I hope we can end our (next) season at the same time, in the same place on this beautiful day,” Staley said. “Thank you so much for loving up on us. We truly appreciate it.”
It would be difficult to bet against the Gamecocks, who were an inexperienced, untested group that lost seven seniors off the group who lost to Iowa and Caitlin Clark in the Final Four in 2023.
Staley recalled to the crowd that, when asked about her young players and the new roles they would have to fill, she said to “expect the unexpected.”
A day for the books! Watch the video below!
The Gamecocks exceeded almost everyone’s expectations, finishing 38-0 to become the 10th undefeated national champion after beating the Hawkeyes 87-75 on April 7.
It was Staley’s third NCAA crown in the past seven tournaments.
University President Michael Amiridis said he loves talking up Staley and her program until the listeners tell him to stop. “Some people call it a ‘Dawn-asty,”’ some call it a dynasty. I don’t know the right word,” he said. “But I know we’re building an empire.”
Staley singled out the lone player, as of now, not coming back in 6-foot-7 Final Four most outstanding player Kamilla Cardoso, who passed on a WNBA draft orientation session in New York City to take part in the parade.
“You all have made it a special time for here to take on to the next level,” Staley said.
Cardoso, a key reserve on the 2022 national championship team, and Staley will both be at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Monday where Cardoso is expected to be among the top five selections.
Even without Cardoso, South Carolina should be a formidable team next season.
Barring any surprise jumps into the transfer portal — North Carolina State star Saniya Rivers left the Gamecocks a few days after celebrating in the 2022 title parade — players such as sophomores Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts and freshmen MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson should easily slide into larger roles.
The Gamecocks add the game’s No. 2 college prospect in Joyce Edwards of Camden, South Carolina.
Staley is not afraid to bring in necessary pieces via the portal. One of the top three-point shooters nationally this season in Te-Hina Paopao transferred in from Oregon last offseason.
Paopao, who will be back next year, used point guard Raven Johnson’s words to set the bar high for 2025. “It’s time for the repeat tour,” she said to wild cheers.
News
Taylor Swift sings two diss tracks on nemesis Scooter Braun’s birthday… one day after he announced his retirement from music management
Taylor Swift fans are convinced she shaded her longtime nemesis, Scooter Braun, during her latest surprise acoustic song set on The Eras Tour on Tuesday night. While performing at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, the singer, 34, performed a mashup of her two…
11 Strict Rules That Elon Musk Allegedly Makes His Girlfriends & Wives Follow
The last one is just downright odd. Kathy Hutchins / Sky Cinema / Shutterstock.com Among billionaires, Elon Musk is perhaps one of the most eccentric and well-known around the world. His merry band of supporters that worship his every move and defend…
Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s Tortured Relationship
Prince Charles and Diana’s engagement, turbulent marriage, and subsequent divorce captivated the world. Diana and Prince Charles in 1981. KYPROS/GETTY IMAGES. The story of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, is not that of star-crossed lovers. Continuously recounted in film, television, tell-all books,…
Kate Middleton photo controversy: New details show when the photo was edited
Kate issued an apology after news agencies retracted a royal family photo. Princess Kate apologizes amid family photo controversy ABC’s James Longman is at Buckingham Palace with the latest on the royal family. As the photo controversy around Kate Middleton continues to grow, new…
Is Kate and William’s relationship healthy? Body language expert weighs in
Expert reveals intimate moment between Kate and Wills The Prince and Princess of Wales at the Trooping the Color event.LAPRESSE Body language expert Judi James has offered her insights into the dynamic between Kate and Wills, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,…
Princess Diana conspiracy theories: Eight reasons people believe the crash in Paris wasn’t all it seems
More than 20 years on, conspiracy theories continue to rage – despite almost all of them being proven decisively wrong SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On…
End of content
No more pages to load